Day #773 - Roasted Loan Officer

Someone asked me what I was having for dinner tonight. Answer: Roasted Loan Officer.

***************

Doc and Sparky went to Starbucks this morning and collected a penny, two dimes and a quarter. (Coins #1-4)

This afternoon I met with a woodworker. On the way home I noticed a stucco wall. Since Doc and I have been debating stucco versus gravity blocks, I stopped to investigate and sit on the wall. There were two pennies right next to it! God’s 2¢ worth. (Coins #5&6) Then, since it was in front of a 7-11 store, I couldn’t resist going in to hunt. One Penny there. (Coin #7)

***************

We were to begin construction at the beginning of the year. The bank has had one excuse after another. Last week it was: For Sure they would have our documents printed out and delivered to us on Tuesday, Feb 1^st. This afternoon we received an email saying their clerk had made another error in generating our papers. It will be one more week before they can legally give us the corrected documents! We had construction scheduled to begin this Saturday.

***************

Tonight I needed to blow off steam so I went to a workshop. Of course I told about Penny Finding. After class on the way to my truck I asked the Penny Angels to maybe manifest a penny which would corroborate my story. I found a dime and a penny! So I ran back to share the joy with other people and found a penny near the door! (Coins #8-10).

Total: 10 Coins P (6), N (0), D (3), Q (1) = $0.61

***************

PERSPECTIVE:

When I arrived home there was a message from our friends in Australia. Their town has been flooded. Shirlee (at age 81) had to evacuate last week, but is home tonight. She and her late husband built their mud-brick home over 50 years ago. There is a cyclone approaching and it is expected to add another 12” to the nearby river. They are making plans to evacuate again. She said, “It’s the state of waiting and Not Knowing which is so difficult.”

“Tim used his DUKW (WWII amphibious army vehicle) to carry sandbags and transport 35 people out to build up the levee around the power station. If the electricity had gone off, then so would the phones, the sewage and other services. But, thanks be to God, the station was saved and about 1500 people who stayed in town were able to cope. Tim has been working nights with the State Emergency Services and getting about 4 - 6 hours sleep during the day. He slept at the petrol station for when the SES needed petrol”.

Shirlee’s comment, “It’s tough leaving and saying goodbye to everything in your home in case you never see any of it again.” Yet she was laughing and joking with me. A living example of positive outlook.

Day #772 - Rain Walkin'

This morning Doc insisted upon going out to breakfast. He enticed me by saying he was willing to do our weekly and monthly calendar review. Then he planned to get some steps on the pedometer and find coins while walking in the high school parking lot.

By the time we emerged from the restaurant it was sprinkling. I told Doc I was not going to walk in the rain. So he cruised the high school parking lot. He hopped out to collect the first penny. I hopped out to collect the next two and then just continued walking -- yes in the rain. It was too difficult to see coins from the car, although Doc collected three Sit-N-Finds. We found a total of six pennies, one nickel, and one dime. (Coins #1-8) Doc said, “We still need a quarter today”.

We came home to do some design work on the garden wall, laundry and misc. I actually spent 30 minutes doing some embroidery! Been years since I’d done any.

Mid afternoon Doc headed out for a coffee. He stopped at the 99¢ store and collected a penny and his quarter there! Hit for the Cycle. (Coins #9&10).

This evening as we shopped at the usual 3 grocery stores we collected 6 pennies, but no interesting stories with them. (Coins #11-16)

Total: 16 Coins P (13), N (1), D (1), Q (1) = $0.53

Day #771 - Motion Pending

This morning we met with the grading subcontractor. We reviewed his contracts for grading the property, installing the septic tank, and trenching the utility lines. We are getting so close …

On the way to our meeting, Doc stopped at Starbucks. I walked over to the Carl’s Jr. and collected a quarter, three dimes, one nickel and four pennies under the window! “Hit for the Cycle”! (Coins # 1-9). Then I went over to the Chick-fil-A store and collected two pennies. (Coins #10&11) The gal at the window gave me a curious look, so I shared about Penny Finders and gave her a Penny Card. In exchange, she gave me a High-5 and a glorious smile!

We stopped for petrol. The cashier, Dora, asked if I had found coins yet today. I told her yes, but not at her place. She said, I just swept the floors around the counter, so there won’t be any now. I agreed, the floor looked clean upon my first glance . But on my second glance there was a penny. (Coin #12). I had spotted a penny in one of the parking stalls as we pulled into the gas station. Sit-N-Find. A car parked over it before I could get to it. I waited (not patiently) until the car left before I swooped in for it. (Coin #13).

Around 7:45 PM Doc went foraging for his dinner and came back with two pennies. (Coins #14&15)

Total: 15 Coins P (10), N (1), D (3), Q (1) = $0.70

Day #770 - Unique Finds

Many different activities going on today plus an assortment of unique coin finds. Several of them left us wondering, “Now just how did that coin get there?” Or “How in the world did we spot that one?”

The first coin was found before we left our driveway! Yesterday we took the back seat out of the van to transport an 8 ft. ladder. This morning we were loading more gear into the van when we discovered a quarter hiding down in the seat locking channel approximately 1 inch below floor level! (Coin #1).

Doc insisted upon stopping at Starbucks before we met to interview a realtor. The drive up line was very long, so we went inside. I picked up the dime which Doc spotted under the service bar upon our arrival. (Coin #2) Then I headed out to Penny Find while Doc got his coffee.

I walked over to the Taco Bell where there was lots of trash under the window -- plus nine pennies, 3 dimes, and one quarter. Coin Mine! (Coins #3-15). There was one lonely penny next door at the Burger place (Coin #16) and Doc found a penny when leaving Starbucks. He had actually started to drive away when he spotted the coin, stopped the van, hopped out, and captured his prey. (Coin #17)

We had a good meeting with the Realtor. Told him about Penny Finders and gave him a Penny Card.

The next stop was Home Depot for yard mulch. Three pennies and one dime there. (Coins # 18-21). The dime was in a weird spot - precisely balanced on a ½” sheet of plywood 6” off the floor. Strange. Each of the three pennies was also interesting. On the third one I looked 3-4 times at that corner while we entered the garden area and while we were checking out. On the final glance, there was a penny! I asked Doc to get the penny while I finished paying the cashier. He could not see it. It was under and exhibit and partially covered with dirt. So I scooped up the penny and exclaimed to the cashier, “You are my witness for Day #770”! She had the biggest smile. So I gave her a Penny Card and an explanation. She seemed genuinely to have appreciated those few seconds of shared JOY!

Next we went to the townhouse to continue our efforts in getting it rent ready. Window cleaning, floor scrubbing, spreading mulch, etc. After a few hours Doc said he needed a Starbucks run. He went for coffee while I cleaned the toilet. He found a penny in the parking lot (Coin #22).

Then we came home to shower and deal with the emails which had been arriving all day.

Total: 22 Coins P (15), N (0), D (5), Q (2) = $1.15

Day #769 - For Rent Again

This morning Doc and I went to Cal Poly Pomona (work) to take care of a few odds and ends. I was walking across campus with a friend and found a dime (Coin #1).

Doc and I returned home to make a few calls, then we headed over to the Duarte townhouse to do some work there. We cleaned out the garage, trimmed a tree, did some weeding, cleaned cat poop, vacuumed, dusted, etc. After a few hours Doc needed a break and went for a coffee. He returned with his drink, a penny, and a nickel. (Coins #2&3).

Our realtor, Monica, dropped in while we were working and we listed the unit for rent. Now we really need to finish the job so she can show it this weekend!

I must go now and pack up tools for tomorrow …

Total: 3 Coins P (1), N (1), D (1), Q (0) = $0.16

Day #768 - One Chance

I actually managed an hour of book reading today. What a treat!

Doc and I went out for some errands and to look at bathtubs. Stopped at an AM/PM gas station to look for coins. Told the Penny Angels they had this one chance for a coin find because I was going home and staying there the rest of the day.

I searched the convenience store, but did not see anything initially. Then as I was leaving, there was a dime under a wire display rack. Bent to retrieve it and found a penny too! Doc found a penny in the parking lot.

Total: 3 Coins P (2), N (0), D (1), Q (0) = $0.12

Day #767 - Little Facets

It is slightly after midnight and my friend, Mandy just left the house. I really want right now to just bask in the glow of this day. The number 25 has been very significant for me and Penny Finders. Today was the 25^th and mere words can not adequately portray the specialness of it. There was not any one particular or major thing which occurred, it was more like hundreds of seemingly tiny little “facets” which made up this incredibly sparkling “diamond” day.

It makes you wonder if every day is a “diamond day”? Perhaps we are just too frantic to take a step back and appreciate the tiny sparkles.

***************

Let’s get the “business” part of the Penny Tale done. Doc stopped at Starbucks and went inside to get his coffee while I walked the shopping center to search for coins. I found nothing. I finally returned to Doc. He said, “Hold my coffee while I go to the bathroom”. I grudgingly stood there holding his cup - and found a penny right at the register area! (Coin #1).

We had an 8:30 meeting with a cabinet designer. John really captured what I wanted to do in the kitchen - even creating a spot for our African Violets. After about three hours, Doc couldn’t take it any more. He went outside to go Penny Finding. One penny in the parking lot and one penny at the self-serve car wash. (Coins #2&3)

Subtotal: 3 Pennies

I wrote that story and was finished … or so I thought! I now see that Doc has left a Love Note and coins on my computer. Tina: a dime at the grocery store, penny at CVS and quarter at the 99¢ Only Store. (That man has Penny Fever).

Subtotal: 3 more Coins

Total: 6 P (4), N (0), D (1), Q (1) = $0.39

***************

Now for the Angel part of today.

My friend Mandy and I had been planning for a month to get together. We had planned to attend a workshop in Pasadena. I found out a few days ago that the class was cancelled. Mandy discovered another class elsewhere. I called yesterday to make reservations and it too had been cancelled. By mid-afternoon we still did not have any plans and it was driving me crazy. What would we DO?

I called Mandy and suggested that maybe we could take a walk in her area. (She lives in a nice area for walking compared to where we live with all the busy streets and traffic). She said, no, she would come to my house. After hanging up the phone, I said to Doc, “Great, She is coming over here in an hour. What will we do? Just sit on the sofas and stare at each other?”

I was trying to quickly clean up the house and wash the dirty dishes. The phone rang. I did not want any calls - I was trying to clean house! First it was a call regarding assistance with getting some unexpected donated items to some needy groups. That took a few calls. Then it was an update from our loan officer (stay tuned ….), then it was a realtor with whom we needed to speak, then our surveyor, then the grading guy, then the escrow agent, then….

Note: Had I gone to Mandy’s house AS I HAD PLANNED, (or to those workshops), I would have missed all those calls. I had the distinct impression that Angels were at work here. There was even more that happened, but you get the idea.

Mandy and I decided to go out for dinner, but Mandy had brought some cards along and asked if Doc or I wanted her to do a reading before we left? Doc had never before done something like this, he does not really believe much in it, and he said he was off to watch TV in his Man Cave. Mandy asked if he was sure about that? Doc has a great deal of respect for Mandy, so he courteously said, “OK, if you really want to”. It was a fascinating and eye-opening session.

Next, it was my turn for a reading. I excused Doc to go to his Man Cave, but he wanted to stay! For the next 45 minutes Mandy kept seeing one “vision” after another. Much of the time was in “dialogue” with my Penny Angel (whom she saw as an older, married, overweight, balding gentleman) who had some interesting comments. (I have many pages of notes written). My brain, of course, was full of questions and arguments with this whole situation.

Mandy and I went off to dinner, then returned to the house. We sat on the sofas for several hours not really DOING ANYTHING, but BEING and discussing topics as the “nudgings” led us. This “spiritual workout” was similarly strenuous and challenging to a “physical workout”. It’s supposed to be good for you!

Lesson: It is very challenging to just BE and not DO

There is so much to learn beyond the trivial day-to-day things we perceive as “our reality”.

Day #766 - 29 and Falling

This morning Doc and I headed to Cal Poly Pomona early. I needed to submit a report and then a scholarship letter for a student. Since we had a 9:30 meeting back at our house with a gutter installer, the CPP trip needed to be quick.

The report was submitted in a timely manner, I waved hello to a few people as I passed their offices, and then was leaving the building. I was “nudged” to go see a colleague in his lab. He was on the phone, so I simply smiled and hugged him. As I was leaving, I found today’s penny (Coin #1).

I turned in the student’s form at the Financial Aid office and was headed back to the van. I could see Doc already at the car and waiting for me. I was walking briskly and with a purpose across the lawn - until I hit what most likely a gopher hole. Suddenly I was rolling on the ground, holding my ankle, and in great pain, wondering what happened? My very first thought was, “Please Angels, NO Crutches for construction!”

A student ran to my aid and Doc called on my cell phone wondering what the heck was taking me so long? I told him to look across the field on the ground. He graciously drove the van closer (so he wouldn’t need to carry me).

***************

On the way home, we stopped at Starbucks. Doc got his coffee while I collected a nickel and two dimes. (More dimes from yesterday’s request?) (Coins #2-4)

Fortunately I had my monthly physical therapy scheduled for this afternoon. What timing! A few hours of treatment and I should now be back on line. Meanwhile Doc went back to work. He collected 3 pennies at McDonalds where he got lunch. (Coins #4-7).

Lesson: Be thankful for things you DON’T have (like crutches)

Total: 7 Coins P (4), N (1), D (2), Q (0) = $0.29

Day #765 - Wrong!

This morning Doc and Sparky tried something new for breakfast: Jack-in-the-Box. They came home with lots of calories and 2 pennies. (Coins #1&2).

***************

I worked on tax prep and other things until 3 PM. It was such a gorgeous day. Needed to get out of the house. So Doc and I headed to Home Depot to investigate bathtubs, ceiling fans, medicine cabinets, and more. As we were wandering around, I said, “these Home Depot stores and the Lowe’s have been quiet deserted of customers on recent months. And they haven’t been good sources for coins.” Wrong! Within seconds there was a quarter in our path. (Coin #3)

As I was at the Service counter getting a price quote for the bathtub, Doc spotted something. He borrowed a yard stick from the paint department and used it to retrieve the supposed coins. Wrong! It was a washer. No luck there. But when he returned the yard stick, there was a penny at the base of the holder! Mushroom coin? (Coin #4).

As we were checking out, Doc said, “Do that again.” I asked “Do What?” “Say about not finding coins, so maybe we’ll find another one. I said it. While I was paying, Doc noticed several pieces of paper wedged in a very tiny gap between the counter and the pay machine. I looked and told him those papers were receipts and trash. Then I looked closer. One of them had potential … I was wishing for tweezers. Doc handed me his hair comb. A few attempts and within moments we had a very crispy, brand new $5 bill!! WOW! Angels really proved me WRONG!

***************

Next we stopped for a quick dinner and then at the ATM machine at the bank. We could not resist the temptation to quickly run through the grocery store. The manager asked if I had found coins yet today. I was telling him about the $5 at Home Depot near the change chute and as I was speaking with him we found a nickel! Love it when the Penny Angels manifest coins for other people to witness. Doc also found 2 pennies there. (Coins #5-7).

***************

At 8 PM Doc announced it was time to do the weekly grocery shopping. I didn’t want to go, but the fridge is pretty empty. We didn’t see any coins inside the store and said “No coins at this stop.” Wrong! As we walked through the exit doors, Doc and I both veered to the right instead of going left toward the van. We laughed. Sure enough, there was a penny a few feet in that direction. (Coin #8)

***************

We needed a dime to Hit for the Cycle. At the second and third grocery stores we found zero coins, yet we both really wanted that dime! So I said, “Dime, dime, dime, dime ….” for 2-3 minutes as Doc began driving home. We detoured into a 7-11 to get that dime. As I opened the van door, there was a penny by my foot, then a second one. (Coins #9&10). I went inside. I could see two coins under the counter … could it be? Yes! A quarter and a dime laying next to each other! (Coins #11&12) I also claimed a penny under the counter (Coin #13) and carefully looked around. I was sure there were no more coins under there. I got off my knees and told Tony (the cashier) how the Universe had just fulfilled our request for a dime! Suddenly there was the shiniest shield penny next to me! (Coin #14). Tony and I were laughing.

I stepped back and noticed something under the counter where I had searched closely. It was a second dime! Wow! Mushroom coin! (Coin #15). WRONG again!

As we returned to the van, there were 2 pennies right at my door. I must have stepped on them when getting out of the van! (Coin #16&17).

Thought: Why don’t we ask for assistance on the really big things in our lives instead of for merely finding pennies?

Total: 17 Coins P (12), N (1), D (2), Q (2) = $0.87 + $5.00

Day #764 - Be Still

Incoming quote from a friend today:

"Be still and know that I am God, be still and know that I am, be still and know, be still, BE"! ~~It all comes down to just BEING!

I am trying to be still. Gosh it’s difficult!

Even though construction of the new house project is at a stand-still, there is daily ‘quiet’ progress. The frustration of delayed construction is subsiding and the energy is being used elsewhere - like researching appliances, learning about lighting, investigating flooring, designing the wall finishes, etc.

***************

This morning I assisted a friend with a report she was writing while Doc totaled our mileage journals for last year. He and Sparky took a break. They found a penny and a nickel in the high school parking lot where they were walking, then a penny inside Starbucks, then two pennies in the parking lot at the grocery store. (Coins #1-5)

Mid afternoon Doc and I headed over to the Duarte townhouse to do a little work. On the way, we stopped for some Mexican food and three pennies at the drive up window. (Coins #6-8).

This evening I have been researching and pricing wall ovens for the new house. Yikes they are expensive! Who needs them? What a waste of money. My oven only gets used once a year on Thanksgiving Day. The rest of the year it stores dishes.

Total: 8 Coins P (7), N (1), D (0), Q (0) = $0.12

Day #763 - Wasted Days

Late this afternoon an email arrived from the Loan Officer. Another week and zero results. They are understaffed. The soonest they can schedule document signing is next month!!!!! We had planned to close in December before the new year began. And they require us to solemnly swear that zero work will be performed before we sign those papers.

I think tonight the best thing for me to do is “bite my tongue” before I “bite someone’s head off!”. There are only 5 months remaining in my 12 month Leave of Absence. So frustrating to see the weeks wasting away ….

Doc and I each found a penny today.

Total: 2 pennies

Day #762: The Calm

This feels like the calm before the storm. Any time the phone rings, it could be the bank saying they have finally printed out our papers. So far that has not been the case.

This morning Doc went to McDonalds for his breakfast and three pennies. (Coins #1-3). Later in the morning he went to get his watch battery replaced and Penny #4.

I spent much of the day working on tax prep stuff and yucky chores. I challenged myself to get the tasks completed and then go out to look at flooring or something for the new house. At 4:30 I filed away the last of the papers, changed out of pajamas and headed out. Stopped at an interior design center for 15 minutes, then a flooring store until they closed at 6 PM.

Realized I needed a coin for today. Stopped at a 7-11. There were two pennies under the counter and a bright shiny one as I walked back out to my truck. (Coins #5-7)

Day #761 - Power Meeting

This morning we had a meeting at the construction site with Stan, our electrical contractor, Daryl, and two representatives from the power company. One was the rep I had met before, but he is handing our job over to a new person. When we began our house design, the electrical box was planned for the North side, but then we explored placing it on the South, but then back to the North, then back to the South. As of today, it is on the North! Any bets as to where it finally lands?

On the way to our “power meeting” we stopped at Starbucks. Doc got coffee and I walked the lot. There was a car at the drive up window of the Chick-fil-A. I said, “Penny Angels, move that car” and it drove away! I quickly dove for any coins I could find. As I walked back to the van, I counted: 4 pennies, a dime, a nickel and 2 quarters! Hit for the Cycle! Good start to the day. (Coins #1-8)

There was one car at the Carl’s Jr. window and Doc had not yet returned to the van, so I said, “Penny Angels, move that car” and it moved! I dove in for 3 pennies and another dime. (Coins #9-12).

We went to Home Depot to investigate LED vs. Halogen light fixtures. Then we stopped for dog food. One penny there (Coin #13).

***************

This afternoon was our bi-weekly Play Time with the kids. We went hiking and stream crossing. Four (out of six) of us emerged with dry shoes. Good to get out in nature and look at cactus, throw rocks, and listen to the rushing water.

For dinner we had a great Mexican meal. And we found a penny when entering the restaurant. (Coin #14). We realized Ashley had left her sweater in the parking lot of the Canyon, so back we drove. The boys were not happy about their wasted play time.

Next we went to a library to do some homework, then it was play time at Chuck E Cheese’s.

Doc, Ashley and I each found a token there. (Value of 25¢ each).

Total: 14 Coins P (9), N (1), D (2), Q (2) = $0.84 + 3 CEC Tokens

Day #760 - Tax Prep

Last month I was asked for some advice from someone special to me. It hurt to see them in their predicament. I offered one or two positive actions I thought they might take. I was then told to “butt out”. That hurt. I then said, “Hey God and Angels, you need to take it from here. My hands have been tied”. Today I found out that those prayers were answered in a much better way than I could have even imagined! WOW! The angels sure have more contacts and connections than I do. Awesome!

***************

This morning Doc and Sparky went to McDonalds for breakfast. They came home with 4 pennies, 2 nickels, and a dime. (Coins #1-7)

Today at 9:30 AM I began working on tax preparations. By 4:15 PM I was burned out. Took a break for an hour. Doc took the van, I took Pippy and we headed for a car wash. Doc turned in his car, then proceeded to walk. He found 2 pennies, a nickel and a dime by the vacuum tanks. (Coins #8-11). He said he only picked up the ones on the top of the dirt pile - if I dug a little, I might find more. My turn! I kicked some dirt around and uncovered 2 dimes and 5 pennies. (Coins #12-18). I’m anxious to kick some real dirt around - from under the foundation of the new house!

While waiting for Pippy, I walked next door to the 99¢ store. I picked up 2 pennies and a dime there. (Coins #19-21). An elderly lady said, “I was going to get those when I came in, but someone was standing too close. I shared with her about Penny Tales and gave her a Penny Card as a participant in the Day #760 finds. Then, just for fun, I walked over to the self-serve car wash across the street. One dime there. (Coin #22).

I stopped for petrol on the way home and found two dimes at the station. (Coins #23&24).

Doc went to the high school to add steps to his pedometer and also up our coin count. He found lots of coins there! 14 Pennies and a Dime. Coin Mine! (Coins #25-39). Plus one more in the parking lot at the grocery store. (Coin #40)

Total: 40 Coins P (28), N (3), D (9), Q (0) = $1.33

Day #759 - Good Karma

Many businesses (like the banks) were closed today due to the Martin Luther King Holiday. There was no progress on THAT aspect of the house. I did a little design work. Tried to figure out how I will take the doors off my current closet (which measure 4.5 ft wide x 6’8”) and move them onto the new closet opening which measures 7 ft. wide by 8 ft. high.

Doc does not like all this thought put into the minute details of the house. So mid-morning he and Sparky escaped for a McDonald’s senior coffee. Came back within a few minutes with a dime and 4 pennies in hand (Coins #1-5).

I realize I have been pouring time and energy into the new house and some other projects for the past few weeks. The spiritual side of things was getting ignored. Tonight I carved out time for a session entitled “A Course on Miracles”. I left the house at 6 PM thinking, “I’ll stop at a 7-11 store on the way to class to get today’s coin”. I stopped, but did not see any coins. The cashier and I had spoken once before. He asked if I had found a penny today. I replied, “No. I was planning on finding one here, but I don’t see any.” Mahinda (who is from India) shared his dream of teaching meditation techniques to people. Interesting. It was a very brief conversation because I needed to leave for class. I took one more look under the counter for a penny. There was one! I had to get down on hands and knees and reach about 18” under the counter, but I got it! And as I was withdrawing my arm, there was suddenly another penny!

Mahinda and I both laughed at the two found coins. Shared JOY! Mahinda exclaimed: “GOOD KARMA!”

Lesson: It’s not always simple or “dignified” to “go for your goal”, Do It Anyway!

Lesson: When you get over the fear, embarrassment, the “I can’t arguments”, you really CAN.

Lesson: Sometimes you get MORE than you expected.

As I walked toward the door of the learning center, I thought: “Glad I got those two pennies at the first stop, because this place is tiny and doesn’t really deal with cash very much. Therefore the odds of finding today’s penny here would be really, really small”.

I walked in the center and on the shelf in front of me was a penny just calling to me. I asked the person at the counter why that penny would be in such a strange place. He had no answers and said it must be intended for me!

Thought: The Angels like to play against impossible odds.

Total: 8 Coins P (7), N (0), D (1), Q (0) = $0.17

Day #758 - No Cup Holder

This morning son Brian came over to work on and drive the ’38 Chevy. It was his first time driving it beyond the street in front of our house. He and Doc drove the old car to Starbucks and I followed in the chase vehicle. Brian actually stepped on a penny (Coin #1) as he was ordering their drinks. Coffee for them, penny for me. Imagine - the old cars did not have cups holders! Where are you supposed to put your bottled water, designer coffee, or fast-food sodas?!

After Brian left, Doc spent the afternoon with football on the TV. I sketched some trim ideas for the Grand Room of the new house, tried to set some appointments for the upcoming week, and spent a few hours on tax preparations.

***************

This evening Doc insisted that we go grocery shopping. (I dread the chore). As we walked in, I spotted a dime at a closed check out lane while Doc simultaneously found a mutilated dime at the coin counting kiosk. (Coins #2&3).

Then I found a quarter and four pennies in another closed check out lane. (Coins #4-8).

Total: 8 Coins P (5), N (0), D (2), Q (1) = $0.50

Day #757 - Taking Notes

Doc insisted that I attend a workshop with him this morning. On the way, he stopped for a coffee while I walked the shopping center. No coins found. The workshop was held at the Community Center for the City in which we are building. There was so much going on in the center and much more being advertised. The complex was huge, new, beautiful and decorated in a color scheme I would like to use in our new house. So I was taking notes.

The workshop was quite informative, so I have pages of notes. This will take some digesting and further investigating.

After the seminar Doc and I stopped at a lighting shop to investigate some fixtures. A penny found right in the aisle of the showroom!

***************

This Penny Tale was written and I was ready to hit the “send” button. Doc made a run to the local burger stand for dinner and came back with 2 pennies as well. He was happy to get his 2¢ worth in today.

Total: 3 Pennies

Day #756 - Electrical Focus

Today was focused on the electrical circuitry and lightings aspects of the new house. Just before noon I ran out to get some copies made of blueprints for today’s meeting. I found one penny on that run. (Coin #1)

From 12:30 - 5:30 PM we worked with Stan, the electrical contractor in further defining the electrical features of the new house. We were exploring options for the incoming power to the house, power distribution, as well as lighting fixtures. Wow there is a lot to think about. While we were meeting, we received a call from the electric company asking if we could meet on site next week to walk the job. Great timing for them to call as Stan was sitting at our dining room table.

After Stan left, I tried to make sense of all my notes and edit the list of fixtures we will be needing. At 8 PM I had reached saturation. Electrical stuff is not fun and that was too much in one day. Time for Lunch!

Progress in the electrical area.

Total: 1 Penny

Day #755 - Breathing Fire

This morning we worked through the loan numbers with the Financing Agent. Sure enough! They left out a factor. Oops! That “little miscalculation” on their part will be costly to Doc and I. I will have to work for nearly one month at my job to pay for that extra cost! Not fair. Seems to me they should simply make the correction and eliminate that charge. They said in order to make that correction we would need to “resubmit our file” which will take another 2-3 weeks of processing! So it boils down to the simple realization that the bank can promise you anything they want as far as rates or timelines, and then at the very end, totally renege on what they said.

When I complained, I was essentially told, “There are only two banks currently issuing construction loans, so you really don’t have much choice.”

This Dragon Lady is breathing fire tonight!

***************

This afternoon I met with a rep at a cabinet shop. We spent 1.5 hours going over my ideas for the kitchen cabinets. I left him a bit overwhelmed, but he assured me he would try to find ways to accomplish the ideas.

I shared with him about Penny Tales, then found a dime on the way to my truck. (Coin #1) Of course, I ran back to the shop to show him the coin.

***************

Tonight I am frustrated and therefore just doing some year-end bookkeeping to get things readied for tax time. Also moving furniture to get things back in order from the holidays and blow off steam.

***************

Funny Story- Repair work is still being done at the Duarte Townhouse. Maybe one more week on that project. I was told by workers that the heater was not functioning. It sounded like it was trying to come on, but could not. We called for the repairman who installed the system 1.5 years ago. He was planning to check the system tomorrow. Doc described what was (or more accurately was not) happening with the system. Leonard was able to diagnose the situation from the comfort of his home - he suggested we call the gas company and have the service turned on! Duh! LOL.

***************

Email reminder from a friend today:


When you are down to nothing ... 
God is up to something.

Total: 1 Dime

Day #754 - Learning

Doc and I spent the morning at the university. It was good to say “Happy New Year” to our colleagues and attend the quarterly College of Engineering meeting. We learned about recent events in the College, the upcoming arrival of a new dean, as well as future plans. It was great to see some of my “kids” as well. There was a dime under the vending machines just waiting for me, then a quarter at the pizza place, penny at the coffee shop, dime by the library and penny at the marketplace. (Coins #1-5). I do miss Penny Hunting there.

Just like yesterday, this afternoon we were again wrestling with funding issues. We were promised a lower interest rate yesterday and agreed to it. Today the Bank is saying they are placing us in a higher rate category. We think their math is not correct and are investigating it. Grrrrr…

This evening Doc and I attended a workshop in Irvine. We learned about Goal Setting and recent trends in Real Estate. It was about 40 miles and so we allowed for LA freeway traffic. We actually arrived very early, so we went to a nearby shopping center and did some Penny Finding. Found 5 pennies and one dime. (Coins #6-11).

Total: 11 Coins P (7), N (0), D (3), Q (1) = $0.62

Day #753 - Directions

This morning I was online checking emails before Doc got up. One email came in which linked me to a website, then another, then another.

For months I have known that the Penny Finders website is out of date and that Penny Finders needs to be taken to a new level. Especially with construction beginning on the Penny Palace. I just haven’t figured out why or how or for what purpose? I have been asking the Penny Angels to give me directions.

This morning I saw a website and it just “clicked”. I was so eager to tell Doc about what I had discovered. When he came in my office I bubbled over. I was expecting him to say, “Great! Why don’t you investigate that further?” Instead he said, “You can’t spend any more money on Penny Finders. You keep putting money into it, yet you have never had a dollar come out of it. You have a house to build. You can’t waste more money on Penny Finders”. I was crushed.

I quickly changed out of pajamas and went for a drive. I needed to burn off some steam. I asked the Angels for Directions. Why don’t they speak in English? I headed for a wilderness park. It was closed due to the recent rains. Grrr… There was a walking trail nearby, but lots of cars and lots of people. I didn’t want to deal with people. Finally found a wooded area and walked.

***************

After that, I stopped at a shopping center to look for today’s penny. Walked through a grocery store searching all the check out lanes. No coins. I thought, “I should really be looking where I am walking instead of looking to the side for coins.” I turned forward and there was a penny right in the middle of the main aisle where I was walking! (Coin #1).

When I got back to the truck, I buckled up and started the engine. My attitude was still poor. I said, “Look Penny Angels, I don’t want to deal with people, I don’t like writing, I don’t’ know what to do with this ?? whatever you want to call it -- blessing, curse, non-business, daily obligation” (plus a few other choice thoughts). I looked out my window in order to back up the truck. The sun was shining brightly on a penny right next to the truck! (Coin #2). Attached message, “Proceed. We will be with you”.

***************

While I was out “burning” off steam and miles, Doc went to the townhouse to check on progress there. He collected a penny at McDonalds (Coin #3).

This evening Doc and I went out for some errands. We collected 7 pennies and one quarter at the various stops. (Coins #4-11)

Total: 11 Coins P (10), N (0), D (0), Q (1) = $0.35